Male’, Maldives – The Maldivian government has extended deadlines for income support allowance to those whose income was impacted due to COVID-19, till the end of the 2020.
The government has been issuing an income support allowance of up to MVR 5,000 per month under its Economic Relief Package for those whose employment was affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry has revealed that 11,814 individuals have received over MVR 143.8 million in financial aid from the government.
The Presidents’ Office said on Monday that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made the decision to extend the duration of issuing the income support until the end of December.
A study conducted by UNDP and the Economic Ministry found that the pandemic has affected the employment status of over 45,000 people in the Maldives.
Since May 20 of this year, the government of Maldives has been giving out income support allowance under the government’s economic relief package to individuals who are not able to provide for themselves and their families, due to the negative impact on their incomes caused by the ongoing pandemic.
Such individuals who are eligible to receive income support include employees who have been terminated, put on no-pay leave or suspended from their jobs as well. The individuals who are on probation and temporary positions also meet the requirements needed to receive allowance. Such individuals must also be between the age 18 and 65 years.
The World Bank is supplementing the government’s efforts to provide income support by US$ 12.8 million, which would allow for 13,000 people to claim the benefit.
